The Sonoran Desert is teaming with these colorful tiny birds. They are attracked to funnel shaped flowers, which is why they have the long narrow beak. Flowers on the Desert lavender, Slipper Plant, Orange Bulbine and Penstemons are an example of the plants which could be designed into your landscape to attrack hummingbirds. A seating area surrounded by some of these plants will provide a place filled with relaxation and sights to sooth the senses.
Brittle Bush, Penstemons, and more grow in the Sonoran Desert wild on very little water or care. With proper thought put into the design you can achieve a spectacular scene in your landscape with native plant material. Of course by doing this you will attrack the native wild life also. Nice!
Pools, children, cactus....yikes. No wait, the cactus has to go. The area around your pool should be designed to be safe and fun rather than restrictive. There are succulants that have no thorns. The use of plants which will not make a mess in the pool is a must. Most of all you want to have a kid friendly pool environment.